The Future of Supply Chain podcast is a show hosted by Richard Howells, Sin To, and Oyku Ilgar. The trio discusses hot topics, best practices, and the latest innovations to deliver a risk-resilient and sustainable supply chain. The show features interviews with experts from the world of supply chain, sustainability, AI and automation, who will address the issues of today and tomorrow.
This is an ideal podcast for supply chain, R&D, manufacturing, logistics, and operations executives to learn and share ideas and best practices with their peers.
Episode 20: How Visualization will Transform the User Experience Across the Supply Chain with SAP’s Lars Olson
Jul 19, 2023
Show notes
Join us as SAP’s Lars Olson discusses how enhanced visualization tools and technology are changing the way companies efficiently and effectively run their supply chains.
Guest: Lars Olson, SAP
Lars Olson is a Solution Manager in SAP’s Digital Supply Chain organization and is responsible for SAP’s 2D & 3D visualizations solutions. Lars has over 20+ years’ 3D visualization experience in Digital Products, Digital Manufacturing, and Intelligent Asset Management. During his 11-year tenure at SAP, Lars has worked on integrating 2D & 3D visualizations across SAP’s on premise, cloud and mobile solutions. Prior to joining SAP, Lars was the Senior Product Manager of client tools at Right Hemisphere. Lars holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in computer aided design (CAD), graphic design and photography from San Diego State University.
Host: Richard Howells, SAP
Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.
Host: Nicole Smythe, SAP
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for almost 4 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like sustainability, market trends, and emerging technology.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 19: Data Driven Discoveries: Inside Product Mining with soley.io
Jul 12, 2023
Show notes
Join us on a captivating journey through data-driven product analytics with “Data Driven Discoveries: Inside Product Mining.” Dive into Soley’s product mining software and learn how data can lead to breakthrough insights and help companies revolutionize their products and supply chains. Get excited to see how data can shape the future.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Reiner Pistorius, Soley.io
Reiner is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of expertise in the software industry, specifically focusing on digitally transforming procurement and supply chain processes. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles at notable companies such as GEP Worldwide, JAGGAER, and SAP. Currently, at Soley, he focuses on business development and account management activities, utilizing their unique product mining solution to assist Soley’s customers. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by industrial companies, Reiner is committed to leveraging technology to optimize product portfolios and drive efficiency for Soley’s clients.
Guest: Michael Weland, Soley.io
Michael is a Senior PreSales Manager at Soley, the leading Product Mining company based in Munich, Germany. With over 5 years of experience at Soley, he specializes in helping industrial companies optimize their product portfolios and drive efficiency through Soley’s unique SaaS solution. His expertise and background include previous roles as a Sales Manager and management consulting experience at Bain & Company. Michael is dedicated to empowering industrial companies by reducing complexity, improving cost structures, and achieving higher efficiency.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Host: Sin To
Sin To has more than fifteen years of experience in the digital media industry and technology sector in the field of marketing, business development, thought leadership, and as a contributing editor. In 2019, she joined SAP’s digital supply chain team to drive thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s supply chain solutions, emerging market trends, and sustainability.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 18: What’s the Cost of Poor Visibility Across Your Logistics Processes with SAP's Rene Vallejo
Jun 28, 2023
Show notes
You can’t buy love, but you can buy visibility – however, did you ever wonder how much poor visibility across your ecosystem could cost you? We’re here to tell you that it’ll affect more than just your profit and revenue. In this episode, SAP’s own Rene Vallejo joins us to discuss the true value of visibility across your logistics processes, how you can drive sustainability across these processes, and the bright future of business networks.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Rene Vallejo, SAP
Rene Vallejo has nearly 30 years of SAP experience in supply chain technologies and processes. In the SAP ecosystem, Rene has performed different roles as a customer and implementation partner and, during the last ten years, as an employee, within the previous ten years as an employee focused on Digital Supply Chain solutions. At the end of 2021, he joined SAP Business Networks’ Tiger Team, where he focused on Logistics.
Host: Richard Howells
Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 17: Insights on the Move: Leveraging real-time insights for efficient transportation
Jun 21, 2023
Show notes
Transportation visibility is crucial for businesses to stay competitive and meet the demands of today’s fast-paced world. By leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, companies like Shippeo are providing real-time insights into the movement of goods, enabling supply chain managers to make informed decisions and optimize their operations.
During our conversation, we’ll uncover the benefits of real-time transportation visibility and how it empowers companies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. We will talk about Shippeo’s state-of-the-art platform, which harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to track shipments, predict delays, and proactively manage exceptions.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Lucien Besse, COO and Co-Founder
With a Master’s degree in Finance and Strategy from Sciences Po, Lucien Besse worked in Private Equity at Vermeer Capital, before co-founding Shippeo in 2014, where he is Chief Operating Officer. Shippeo enables market-leading companies to instantly access predictive, real-time information on each delivery, and and has become the European leader in supply chain visibility with more than 32 million tracked flows per year in over 110 countries.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Host: Sin To
Sin To has more than fifteen years of experience in the digital media industry and technology sector in the field of marketing, business development, thought leadership, and as a contributing editor. In 2019, she joined SAP’s digital supply chain team to drive thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s supply chain solutions, emerging market trends, and sustainability.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 16: Investing in the Supply Chains of Tomorrow with REFASHIOND's Brian Aoaeh
Jun 14, 2023
Show notes
Join us, as we explore the exciting world of supply chain investments in our podcast. Discover the latest trends, technologies, and strategies that are transforming the industry. Gain valuable insights from Brian Aoaeh, the industry experts, to make informed investment decisions in tomorrow’s supply chains. Don’t miss how REFASHIOND is unlocking the future of supply chain investment.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Brian Aoaeh, Founder and Managing General Partner
Brian Aoaeh is a Founder and Managing General Partner of REFASHIOND Ventures, an emerging venture capital fund manager that invests in Industrial Transformation by backing early-stage Supply Chain Technology startups. He is also a Founder of The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation and The New York Supply Chain Meetup, and is an Adjunct Professor of Supply Chain & Operations Management at the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University. He holds a BA in Mathematics and Physics from Connecticut College, an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University, and he is a charter holding member of CFA Institute. Brian serves as a Venture Partner for Newark Venture Partners and Genius Guild. He authored a weekly column on early-stage supply chain technology for FreightWaves from April 2019 to April 2021, including an AI in Supply Chain series that ran for 6 months from July to December 2020. He has 22+ years of overall professional experience, with 15+ years of investing experience – mostly focused on early-stage tech venture capital. Other people refer to Brian by the nickname New York’s Supply Chain Tech VC, and he has also been called The Next-Gen Supply Chain Tech VC Specialist.
Host: Richard Howells
Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 15: How to Manage the Supply Chain Balancing Act with Accenture's Michel Roger
Jun 07, 2023
Show notes
As many can agree, supply chain can become quite the juggling act and, in recent years, the plates have only continued to pile. Between sustainability efforts, avoiding risk, increasing profitability, and sharper visibility, the list of responsibilities for those in supply chain grows daily. On this week’s episode, Accenture’s Michel Roger joins us to discuss how to manage this balancing act and better prepare for the future through risk-resilient and sustainable processes.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Michel Roger, Accenture
Michel Roger is based in New York and has been working at Accenture for more than 25 years to design, deliver and deploy SAP transformation program for Supply Chain processes at global client in North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe in Consumer Goods, Life Sciences, Automotive, Telco and Resources industries. He is responsible globally to develop Accenture capabilities (thought leadership, assets and 5,000+ experts network) to enable supply chain transformation with SAP Solutions (S/4, IBP, PLM, IAM, Sustainability suite, etc).
Host: Richard Howells
Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 14: The Year of Risk Resiliency with CloudPath’s Tushar Bhalla
May 31, 2023
Show notes
Risk-Resiliency has become a topic that supply chain executives have not only built into their supply chains but become a driving factor for transformative change. CloudPath’s Tushar Bhalla joins us on the series to discuss resiliency’s increasing necessity in the field and how companies can predict risk before it happens.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Tushar Bhalla, CloudPaths
Tushar has been guiding customers through their implementation challenges in Digital Supply Chain Strategy, Planning & Transformations for the last 15 years with expertise in SAP IBP, SAP APO, SAP Ariba and more. Led and delivered projects from planning to stabilization across multiple geographies and industries with more than 25 recognized brands in the Consumer Products, Food, Automotive, Semiconductor, Hi-Tech, Oil & Gas, Chemical sectors.
Tushar previously held roles with Accenture, Intrigo Systems and HPE.
Host: Richard Howells
Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 13: Dissecting the Oxford Economics Report Findings with SAP’s Lyndsey Spurgin
May 24, 2023
Show notes
Perma-crisis: an extended period of instability and insecurity, especially one resulting from a series of catastrophic events. This word has become all too familiar with top supply chain executives across the globe. With the recent Oxford Economics Report publications, leaders deep dive into the top five supply chain strategies to achieve resiliency and avoid risk, with SAP’s Lyndsey Spurgin joining us on the series to discuss these very findings.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Lyndsey Spurgin, SAP
Lyndsey Spurgin is Vice President of Corporate Marketing for the Supply Chain team. As General Manager of Integrated Demand Programs, her focus is on digital demand generation working with the regions and marketing channels to take unknown contacts and inspire them with digital content and events to turn into opportunities.
With over 20 years’ experience in digital marketing, Lyndsey also has a passion for Diversity and Inclusion and founded and co-leads the Business Women’s Network in the UK.
Host: Richard Howells
Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 12: A Mother’s Advice for Her Daughter’s Supply Chain Career with Eileen Smythe
May 10, 2023
Show notes
‘Like mother, like daughter’ rings true in this special episode as we celebrate Mother’s Day the best way we know how: a joint mother-daughter episode. Eileen Smythe, Vice President of Supply Chain for Arkema, joins the series for a multigenerational conversation with daughter & co-host, Nicole Smythe, to candidly discuss making her mark in the supply chain space, motherhood & career advancement’s special pairing & the bright future of women in supply chain.
Tune in for insights into the ever-changing world of supply chain from two generations of supply chain professionals.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Eileen Smythe, Arkema
Eileen Smythe is the V.P. of Supply Chain for Arkema for the Americas region overseeing logistics
procurement, supply chain activities including optimization and digitalization, talent acquisition and
career development for Arkema’s supply chain professionals as well as customs compliance.
Eileen’s entire professional career has been with Arkema and its legacy companies. Since joining Arkema in 1987, Eileen has taken on various leadership roles in multiple business units including marketing, supply chain and iTeam and has led multiple initiatives specific to M&A, safety and crisis management. Eileen holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Saint Joseph University, is a certified project manager and completed the inaugural Arkema Leadership Development Program in collaboration with Cornell University in 2015.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
Episode 11: How Technology is Enabling Last Mile Delivery with Bath University’s Mike Lewis, PhD
May 03, 2023
Show notes
Drones are no longer a futuristic device only seen in sci-fi movies, but, instead, are becoming integral pieces to innovative supply chain transformations, from production to delivery. In this episode, we sit down with Bath University’s Mike Lewis PhD, Professor of Operations & Supply, to discuss the importance of innovation in business use cases, how enhanced technologies are enabling organizations to negate disruptions, and the future of drones in the supply chain space.
Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.
Guest: Michael Lewis, PhD, Bath University
Michael joined Bath as a Professor in 2004. His research, teaching and advisory portfolio covers a wide range of practice-centered operations and supply management challenges; from fast fashion retail to senior care, to drones in warehouse, to retrofitting buildings.
He is the author of more than 50 journal articles and several books, including a widely adopted and translated textbook (with Nigel Slack) on Operations Strategy. His most recent work (A Better Way to Pilot Emerging Technologies, with Torbjørn Netland and Omid Maghazei of ETH Zurich) has recently been published in MIT Sloan Management Review.
You can follow him on Twitter @OpsProf
Host: Richard Howells
Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.
Host: Nicole Smythe
Nicole Smythe has been with SAP for over 3 years now but has been working in the supply chain space for over 6 years through various field experiences. With a Master’s degree specializing in Global Supply Chain Management, Nicole hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, blogs, and now podcasts, focusing on topics like social media, sustainability, and market trends.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
